Celebrate Heritage Day on February 16, 2021 with the theme “Resiliency: relying on our Heritage foundations to hold strong and help us pivot in a changing present for the wellbeing of our future generations.”
We encourage all to celebrate Heritage Day at home with our ceremony streamed on the City of Ottawa Website, which will become available at 11:30 AM on Heritage Day, February 16th.
In addition, in order to recognize the tenacity and true grit exhibited by Capital Heritage Connexion Members during these COVID challenged times at Heritage Day 2021, we gathered a collection of their Stories of Resiliency.
Although we have reached our capacity for the live Heritage-themed trivia on Heritage Day, our trivia will be available from Wednesday, February 17th to Friday, February 19th. We will be sharing links on our Facebook, Twitter, and Website, so be sure to join in when you can!
Why celebrate Heritage Day? Canada’s collective story is told through our special places, whether they are historic buildings or sites, archives, libraries, museums, commercial mainstreets or districts, places of faith, industrial areas, or natural or cultural landscapes.
Our shared heritage and histories in all forms has the power to bring people together and create a sense of belonging. Gathering places like town squares, and pow wow grounds, and cultural objects such as artefacts, regalia and family memorabilia are tangible touchstones with the past that can root us in place and nourish the spirit. Intangible heritage – languages, traditional rituals, music, dance, storytelling and more – is at the heart of family and community.
Heritage Day is also a chance to recognize the contributions of the many dedicated staff and volunteers promoting heritage conservation and educating the public about our city’s history. Gathering places like museums, and cultural objects such as artefacts and memorabilia are tangible touchstones with the past that can root us in place and nourish the spirit; and intangible heritage – such as traditions, storytelling and more – is at the heart of family and community.
In celebration of our past and our future, we encourage all – young and old, deeply rooted or new to Canada and its Capital – to visit heritage destinations, cultural landscapes and centres, and connect with traditional knowledge keepers, educators, parents and grandparents to experience heritage on Heritage Day and beyond. Find out how heritage is being celebrated in your community; and learn about services offered by local heritage organizations, public programs and special initiatives, as well as professional development and volunteer opportunities.
Join Capital Heritage Connexion in partnership with the Cultural and Heritage Programs and Spaces Branch and embrace, explore and enjoy Your heritage places and experiences in Canada’s Capital during Heritage Week February 15 to 19, 2021 and throughout the year!